Out of Contract Players - Decision Time

[Colinjb]

Connolly: Yes, One year contract extension. He has earnt it through his end of year form. He stood up to be counted when we needed him most of all.

 

Jaidi: Yes, One year again. He is beginning to lose his legs though now. Wonderful player for us but he should no longer be first choice.

 

Martin: Yes, Three year deal. I rate him as back-up. As I have stated in prior threads though I rate Seaborne ahead of him. The comparison between them v Blackpool was very telling. Seaborne was very assured, Aaron was not, looked very shakey. He should be allowed time to develop. Sign him up and loan him back to a Yeovil for a few months, let him get regular league experience.

 

Holmes: No, Release him. A wasted talent, his body just cannot cope with the professional game. Had too much too young maybe?

 

Butterfield: Yes, Experienced and dependable.

 

Gobern: I would say... Yes. Similar to Martin, sign him up, loan him out and see how he does. He has looked ok when i've seen him (dodgy tackle v the Cherries notwithstanding.)

 

Harding: No brainer. First choice LB for me.

[shurlock]

Which begs the question as to why he was only used once Barney was injuried? everyone keeps saying he is a class above yet by all accounts when Nigel had to choose between Barnard and Connolly (who has been fit for months allegedly) he chose Barnard.

 

Good question, though Barnard was already featuring while Connolly was injured, so was the most obvious stand-in when Guly got injured. Either way, Barny seized his chance and made discussions of who's the better player - Barnard or Connolly - irrelevant. Nobody's going to drop an in-form player.

 

Odder is why NA opted for Forte over Connolly for a period - apart from his brace vs. MK Dons and a decent half vs. Rochdale, Forte has done v.little. I genuinely think NA got that decision wrong - thankfully he was big enough to change things during the BHA game and has not looked back since.

[Brussels Saint]

I know most people complain about Forecast, but personally I dont see the problem. Yes, he's crap, but isn't that the point of the 3rd choice keeper. I dont think any of the youngsters (Dovey i think?) are ready to step up yet and until thats the case keep him.

 

Most people seem to moan at Forecast for Lowe's mistake of cashing in Bales sell-on clause for him. Not really his fault and as we need a crap 3rd choice keeper he seems to fit the job perfectly! Key member of the squad!

[Matthew Le God]

Sorry but I have not seen this. He might drop deep or move out to the left but he has never played "centre midfield" for us.

 

You'll just have to take my word for it then, because it has happened.

[Sour Mash]

Good question, though Barnard was already featuring while Connolly was injured, so was the most obvious stand-in when Guly got injured. Either way, Barny seized his chance and made discussions of who's the better player - Barnard or Connolly - irrelevant. Nobody's going to drop an in-form player.

 

Odder is why NA opted for Forte over Connolly for a period - apart from his brace vs. MK Dons and a decent half vs. Rochdale, Forte has done v.little. I genuinely think NA got that decision wrong - thankfully he was big enough to change things during the BHA game and has not looked back since.

 

All very different players with different attributes. I wouldn't ever really compare what Forte offers and Connolly and as you say, Barnard had hit such form, you wouldn't drop someone in form. Connolly hadn't had the chance to show Adkins what he could do in matches, the others did.

[JustinR]

Connolly - No. Most of it has already been said, time to move on.

 

Jaidi - Yes. One year deal, brings a lot and would still be a useful option. NA seems to really like him.

 

Martin - Yes One for the future definitely.

 

Harding - For me yes, but I think this one is going to be the shock. I think he might get released as we bring Mills back. I have a hunch Nige does not rate him that highly, nothing specific just a general feeling I can't quite put my finger on.

 

Butters - I'm undecided on this one. If we bring in a quality replacement I would be tempted to release.

 

Gobern - No, Yes, No, Yes, No.........................just about yes, as young enough to make the required improvement.

 

 

My gut feeling too. I watched the extended highlights of celebrations on Saints Player and I felt Harding's body language didn't quite match that of the others. Just a hunch he might know already. It makes sense, we have so many left full backs, arguably with more talent.

[Window Cleaner]

My gut feeling too. I watched the extended highlights of celebrations on Saints Player and I felt Harding's body language didn't quite match that of the others. Just a hunch he might know already. It makes sense, we have so many left full backs, arguably with more talent.

 

 

If we don't re-sign Harding out of our own choosing we must be stark,raving,barking mad. Personally the thought of Dickson being first choice left-back in the NPC makes me shudder.

He started just 11 league games at left back last season, must have f*cked up in at least a third of them.All of our troubles come down that side; Adam isn't the world's best at tracking back and actually doing something in defence and if you don't have solid Dan there you're going to get sh*gged. If we don't sign Harding then we need a new left back until Shaw can step up.

[MerceSaint28]

Connolly - No, really good player when fit but you can't justify his lack of games in the last 4 years with another contract. We need players to contribute the whole season and with plenty of good options available no we are in the champ, it's time to move on

Jaidi - No, im a big fan and wish we had him 6/7 years ago as we probably wouldn't of gone down from the prem. He was a cracking signing but again it's time to move on as old father time has caught up with him

Martin - Yes, excellent potential and should be given 2/3 year deal and loaned out for 3 months to a League 1 team to get games. Can definitely be a first team player one day

Harding -Im undecided...really this call could go either way, he is a solid player but depends on whether we could get better...50/50

Butterfield - No, been excellent for us but i feel we may need a first choice RB with pace and Richardson would be second choice. Again tough decision but may be worth getting a younger option

Gobern - Might be worth a 1 year deal if on a low wage and then loaned out as we need to see what he can do. This could very well be a no, depends on wage demands.

[Window Cleaner]

Connolly - No, really good player when fit but you can't justify his lack of games in the last 4 years with another contract. We need players to contribute the whole season and with plenty of good options available no we are in the champ, it's time to move on

Jaidi - No, im a big fan and wish we had him 6/7 years ago as we probably wouldn't of gone down from the prem. He was a cracking signing but again it's time to move on as old father time has caught up with him

Martin - Yes, excellent potential and should be given 2/3 year deal and loaned out for 3 months to a League 1 team to get games. Can definitely be a first team player one day

Harding -Im undecided...really this call could go either way, he is a solid player but depends on whether we could get better...50/50

Butterfield - No, been excellent for us but i feel we may need a first choice RB with pace and Richardson would be second choice. Again tough decision but may be worth getting a younger option

Gobern - Might be worth a 1 year deal if on a low wage and then loaned out as we need to see what he can do. This could very well be a no, depends on wage demands.

 

 

 

Mind you signing new contracts isn't one-sided. players may be asking for more and for longer than we're prepared to offer,might apply to Harding,Butterfield and even Connolly..

[Joensuu]

Tough decisions, and I think all of them could go either way. I'd imagine various non-football factors will determine who stays and who goes. Wage demands, impact on dressing room, mentality, interest from other clubs, physio reports, players we are bringing in etc will all need to be assessed before decisions will be made.

 

As such I won't be surprised to see any of the out of contract players stay or go (apart from Pulis that is).

[derry]

One problem Dickson has, is that Lallana prefers playing in front of Harding. It would be surprising, unless another fullback is brought in, if Harding was released.

[tombletomble]

.;.,.-.-.-;.-,,.

 

Thanks for that. One of the best post I've seen on here for a good few days.

[doddisalegend]

Taken from the players presentation dinner thread but thought it deserved a place here

 

Aaron Martin signing a new contract. Danny Butterfield on another year, due to 20 game trigger in current contract.

 

Add to that Jaidi saying Nigel has already asked him to stay another season.

 

That means only Harding, Gobern and Connolly are unaccounted for in the new contract stakes.

[Chez]

He started just 11 league games at left back last season, must have f*cked up in at least a third of them.

codswallop.

[beatlesaint]

codswallop.

 

Not totally. He started off poorly but that was probably just new club syndrome. In the league Cup against Bournemouth he was dreadful. I think Pardew pulled him off at half time.

He took a while to settle in. next year will be the test but I just cannot believe that so many on here are prepared to let Harding go. That is crazy.

[Window Cleaner]

Strange, Holmes is up on the OS today and you'd have to think that he'll still be here next season from what he's saying,perhaps his contract gets automatically extened because of the amount of time he's been out injured or something of that ilk.

[EBS1980]

Is Holmes out of contract this summer? the posting on OS doesn't read like someone who's out of contract?

[doddisalegend]

Strange, Holmes is up on the OS today and you'd have to think that he'll still be here next season from what he's saying,perhaps his contract gets automatically extened because of the amount of time he's been out injured or something of that ilk.

 

I like the bit about "just carrying on doing what they've been doing" I assume Lee means sitting in the treatment room? Apparently visiting Derby next season will be massive for him.......I assume Derby have a really nice treatment room that he is looking forward to trying out again?

 

I'm not sure why we would hang on to him the few times he has been fit enough to play he has hardly set the world on fire. Having said that he does take a decent corner.

[Bailey]

Is Holmes out of contract this summer? the posting on OS doesn't read like someone who's out of contract?

 

Holmes has another year to run on his contract.

 

Unless anyone comes in for him, which is unlikely given his injury problems in recent seasons, then he'll be at St. Mary's next season.

[CHAPEL END CHARLIE]

Every time we take a risk on a player with a dubious injury record (David Connolly/Lee Holmes ... etc or even great players who are past their prime like 'Killer' Svensson & Marian Pahars) it always comes back to bite you on the bum. In a game increasing dominated by players who more closely resemble proper athletes rather than the type of beer drinking/fry-up loving pro's I grew up watching in the 70's, physical fitness is no longer a 'nice to have' optional extra. The modern game not only demands fit/quick players, these young men also need to be blessed with the type of robust body that has a good chance of withstanding the severe battering the game will surely inflict on it.

 

David Connolly is beyond any doubt a classy little player and the record shows he scored some vital goals in our last few games of the season - but for my money he's just too big a risk.

[Faz]

Holmes has another year to run on his contract.

 

Unless anyone comes in for him, which is unlikely given his injury problems in recent seasons, then he'll be at St. Mary's next season.

 

That's good - he reminds me of that Dutch bloke who used to play for Chelsea. You know, the baldy one.

[VectisSaint]

David Connolly is beyond any doubt a classy little player and the record shows he scored some vital goals in our last few games of the season - but for my money he's just too big a risk.

Not really clear what the risk is? Clearly he has been on a fairly low paid contract, not sure if pay as you play, I think they are a bit of a myth, but something along those lines. He has already stated that he is just about the fittest player in the squad, and he has overcome supposedly the injuries that he had. We did this sometimes in the past, stuck with a player through a serious injury crisis, and then just as the player had become effective shown him the door. Oaks was the best exampleof this, has played several seasons effectively in various divisions since and we took Jermaine Wright instead. To let DC go now would be a travesty, but the language (both body and otherwise) after the Brighton game suggests he may be on his way. I suspect if he does go one of our NPC rivals will snap him up and it will come back to haunt us. While Barnard's future is unclear (and even when it is) DC is exactly the sort of player we desparately need to do well in the higher division. Experience is one of the most prized assets and DC has it in spades. I don't care if he plays 20 minutes of half our games, he would still be worth the money, and in any case we are not financially strapped. Not so sure about Holmes, he hasn't had a chance to prove anything, but it is quite clear from the OS that he will be here next season anyway.

[Thedelldays]

connolly might not want to stay and b a bit part player in what could be his last season.....ever thought of that..?

[Lighthouse]

Not really clear what the risk is? Clearly he has been on a fairly low paid contract, not sure if pay as you play, I think they are a bit of a myth, but something along those lines. He has already stated that he is just about the fittest player in the squad, and he has overcome supposedly the injuries that he had. We did this sometimes in the past, stuck with a player through a serious injury crisis, and then just as the player had become effective shown him the door. Oaks was the best exampleof this, has played several seasons effectively in various divisions since and we took Jermaine Wright instead. To let DC go now would be a travesty, but the language (both body and otherwise) after the Brighton game suggests he may be on his way. I suspect if he does go one of our NPC rivals will snap him up and it will come back to haunt us. While Barnard's future is unclear (and even when it is) DC is exactly the sort of player we desparately need to do well in the higher division. Experience is one of the most prized assets and DC has it in spades. I don't care if he plays 20 minutes of half our games, he would still be worth the money, and in any case we are not financially strapped. Not so sure about Holmes, he hasn't had a chance to prove anything, but it is quite clear from the OS that he will be here next season anyway.

 

1. He isn't clearly on any kind of contract. We've no idea what he is on, although players with Prem Experience seldom come cheap.

2. Oakley had one very serious injury which kept him out a long time. The rest of his career he has been fit as a fiddle. Connolly is different, he seems to be having recurring issues with various injuries which have limited his playing time for the best part of 5 years now. I can't see that improving.

3. Your apparent contempt for our finances is worrying. We can't afford to have passengers on the wage bill and if we kept DC we'd still need another striker aswell. If we start making significant losses, the Liebherrs are far more likely to ditch us.

4. You're happy for him to be fit for 20 minutes a couple of times a month? Why, so he can score another 4 goals like he did this season? If all 4 of the came in injury time at Fratton Park I might see your point, but that's a bit of a long shot.

[wightman35]

I suppose that Connolly will consider the money offered as much as the playing time on offer? At his age and with his injury record, a role as some kind of "super-sub" could have its attractions.